Starbucks Korea (hereinafter referred to as Starbucks) announced on the 21st that it has signed a business agreement with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korea Social Security Information Service, the Population Health Welfare Association, and the Child Rights Protection Agency to promote a culture of consideration for pregnant women and support those facing difficulties due to the low birth rate crisis.
According to Starbucks, the signing ceremony took place on the 20th at the Starbucks Korea Support Center (headquarters) located in Jung-gu, Seoul. Key officials present at the ceremony included Lee Soo-yeon, strategy head at Starbucks Korea; Lee Gi-il, first deputy minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare; Kim Hyun-joon, head of the Korea Social Security Information Service; Lee Sam-sik, president of the Population Health Welfare Association; and Jeong Ik-jung, head of the Child Rights Protection Agency.
Starbucks views expectant mothers, who bear future generations, as key players in overcoming today's low birth rate crisis and has initiated this business agreement to support them as part of its Hero program. In the future, Starbucks plans to collaborate with each organization to raise awareness about the importance of pregnancy and childbirth, and introduce various programs, including providing congratulatory beverage coupons for pregnancy, delivering donations to pregnant women in need, and supporting events for Pregnant Women’s Day (October 10).
Starbucks will provide two congratulatory beverage coupons for pregnancy, which include non-caffeinated manufactured beverages, to those identified as '2025 Pregnant Women' whose due dates are listed between September 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026, on their pregnancy confirmation documents. Applications can be made through the one-stop mobile app 'Ima Jung,' operated by the Korea Social Security Information Service, by accessing the Starbucks event banner and entering the Starbucks app ID. Applications will be possible from 11 a.m. on the 21st of this month. Coupons will be issued to the registered Starbucks account by the 25th of the following month.
In addition to the congratulatory beverage coupons for pregnancy, Starbucks plans to provide financial support for living expenses, housing costs, and medical expenses to pregnant women and children facing difficulties due to economic and physical hardships, unexpected pregnancies, or social stigma. The donations will be distributed by the Child Rights Protection Agency, which will identify the needs of the beneficiaries at local counseling agencies nationwide.
Moreover, on October 10, during the ceremony to commemorate Pregnant Women’s Day, Starbucks plans to deliver custom-made tumblers and food to over 500 pregnant women and their families to support pregnant women, who are key players in overcoming today's low birth rate crisis.
Lee Soo-yeon, strategy head at Starbucks, noted, "The purpose of this agreement is to establish a warm gaze and considerate culture towards pregnant women as a social atmosphere, contributing even a little to overcoming the low birth rate crisis," and added, "With this business agreement, we plan to actively communicate with related organizations to support and encourage the true heroes of our society, the pregnant women."